Persistent vs. Persistant — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 4, 2023
Persistent is the correct spelling, while persistant is incorrect. Persistent describes someone or something that is tenacious and steadfast.
Which is correct: Persistent or Persistant
How to spell Persistent?
Persistent
Correct Spelling
Persistant
Incorrect Spelling
Difference Between Persistent and Persistant
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Remember that "ent" is a common suffix, as in "consistent" or "insistent."
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Oct 03, 2023
Recall that “persistent” has the same number of letters as "resilient," both describing a similar trait.
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Think “persistent” = "consistently existent," which also has an "e."
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"Persistent" contains the word "tent" in it.
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Visualize a tent being persistent against strong winds.
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Definitions
Persistent
Persistent also refers to something that sticks around and does not disappear
Persistent symptoms need a doctor’s attention.
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Persistent
Persistent implies a continuous, determined, and prolonged existence
He showed a persistent effort in his studies.
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Persistent
Being persistent can mean being insistent in statement or request
The child was persistent in asking for candy.
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Persistent
Insistently repetitive or continuous
A persistent honking of car horns.
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Persistent
Existing or remaining in the same state for an indefinitely long time; enduring
Persistent rumors.
A persistent infection.
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Persistent
(Botany) Lasting past maturity without falling off, as the calyx on an eggplant or the scales of a pine cone.
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Persistent
(Zoology) Retained permanently, rather than disappearing in an early stage of development
The persistent gills of fishes.
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Persistent
Obstinately refusing to give up or let go.
She has had a persistent cough for weeks.
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Persistent
Insistently repetitive.
There was a persistent knocking on the door.
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Persistent
Indefinitely continuous.
There have been persistent rumours for years.
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Persistent
(botany) Lasting past maturity without falling off.
Pine cones have persistent scales.
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Persistent
(computing) Of data or a data structure: not transient or temporary, but remaining in existence after the termination of the program that creates it.
Once written to a disk file, the data becomes persistent: it will still be there tomorrow when we run the next program.
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Persistent
(mathematics) Describing a fractal process that has a positive Brown function
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Persistent
Inclined to persist; having staying qualities; tenacious of position or purpose.
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Persistent
Remaining beyond the period when parts of the same kind sometimes fall off or are absorbed; permanent; as, persistent teeth or gills; a persistent calyx; - opposed to deciduous, and caducous.
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Persistent
Continually recurring to the mind;
Haunting memories
The cathedral organ and the distant voices have a haunting beauty
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Persistent
Retained; not shed;
Persistent leaves remain attached past maturity
The persistent gills of fishes
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Persistent
When something is persistent, it continually occurs or recurs
Persistent rainfall caused flooding.
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Persistent
Persistent can describe an unwavering and steady nature
She had a persistent dedication to her goals.
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FAQs
What is the plural form of persistent?
Persistent (unchanged, as adjectives do not have plurals in English).
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Which preposition is used with persistent?
"In" as in persistent in effort.
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Which conjunction is used with persistent?
No specific conjunction is standard.
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Which determiner is used with persistent?
No specific determiner is standard.
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Is the word “persistent” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
Neither, it's an adjective.
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Is persistent a negative or positive word?
It can be either, depending on context.
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How is persistent used in a sentence?
His persistent efforts led to eventual success.
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Is the persistent term a metaphor?
No, but can be used in metaphorical contexts.
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Author Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content editor at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
